WALES manager Mark Hughes wants his best players available for the end-of-season trip to the United States.

WALES manager Mark Hughes wants his best players available for the end-of-season trip to the United States.

Hughes yesterday named a 29-strong squad for the friendly in San Jose, California, on May 26 with all his high-profile players included.

The squad will be reduced to 20 after May 14, and there are fears that withdrawals might force Hughes to play an inexperienced side against opponents ranked 10th in the world.

They will almost certainly include skipper Gary Speed, who is out for the season with a second hernia operation, and Celtic's John Hartson, who is expected play in the UEFA Cup final for Celtic the day after Wales cross the Atlantic, although he could fly out later.

Hughes also knows he will lose players who will be involved in the Nationwide play-offs which are being staged in Cardiff on the weekend of the US match.

Two from Robert Page, Nathan Blake, Adrian Williams and Darren Ward will be involved in the First Division final, while five Cardiff City players in Hughes' main and stand-by squads could also be playing.

But Hughes said, "It's important that all potential squad members are aware of the match and that's why I have picked such a large squad.

"There are question marks over certain players' fitness and that will also be monitored over the next week or two.

"There are still a lot of important matches to be played in the Premiership, Nationwide League and FA and UEFA Cup finals, so it is difficult to know what the final make-up of the squad will be."

The United States - 2000 Olympic semi-finalists and 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists - could feature several British-based players, including Blackburn Rovers goal-keeper Brad Friedel and Everton striker Brian McBride.

"'The match will be a good test for the players and it is certainly not going to be easy," said Hughes.